SPHS FIRST DECA COMPETITION RECAP

San Pasqual High School (SPHS) Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) members woke up extra early on November 2, 2024 to attend their first competitive conference hosted by DECA members at Martin Luther King High School (MLK) in Riverside California. Fifteen first year members competed for the first time, while Jacob Whitney entered his third year competing. SPHS DECA students spent the weeks leading up to the conference reviewing business terms within their respective categories, as well as learned how to have a successful interview. For the eighteenth year in a row,  MLK DECA students have hosted a "Mini-Conference". This conference is geared towards helping first year members understand how DECA conferences operate, as well as get returning members back into the flow. This year, the five categories to compete in were Business Finance, Retail Merchandising Series, Quick Serve Restaurant Management, Hospitality and Tourism Team Decision Making, and Entrepreneurship. Within each category, participants complete a 100 question test with questions based on their category, as well as perform two interview scenarios in the role of a business employee in that category. Congratulations to all finalists and winners:

 Lena D.: 2nd Place Overall Retail Merchandising Series, 3rd Place Retail Merchandising Series Role Play A, Top 8 Retail Merchandising Series Role Play B, Top 8 Retail Merchandising Series Test

Juliet L.: 1st Place Retail Merchandising Series Role Play B, Top 8 Retail Merchandising Series Overall

Salvador L.: Top 8 Business Financial Services Test, Top 8 Business Financial Services Overall

Diana A.G.: Top 8 Hospitality Services Test, Top 8 Hospitality Services Team Decision Making Role Play

Rachel H.: Top 8 Hospitality Services Team Decision Making Role Play

Misha P.: Top 8 Quick Serve Restaurant Management Role Play B, Top 8 Quick Serve Restaurant Management overall

Olivia G.: Top 8 Quick Serve Restaurant Management Role Play A, Top 8 Quick Serve Restaurant Management Overall 

Now, members are preparing for their next Mini-Conference at Del Norte High School before competing at the first regional DECA competition. The MLK Mini-Conference served as a great learning opportunity for all members, and was just the beginning of a great competitive year for the SPHS DECA Club's debut.